Demographic Epidemiologic Projections of Long-Term Care Needs in Selected European Countries: Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Poland

Background: Factors related to long-term care needs have been studied widely, but there is limited research about the influence of health literacy on long-term care needs among the elderly in rural communities where the social context and care environment are uniquely different. Objective: To examine factors influencing long-term care needs among Thai elderly in rural communities. Materials and Methods: The present study used the cross-sectional design. The study sample included 477 elderly persons, who were members of the communities in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Multi-stage random sampling was used to select participants. They were interviewed using the demographic and health information questionnaire, the Thai Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS), the health literacy scale of Thai adults and long-term care needs questionnaire. The selected factors examined as independent variables included some demographic factors, depressive symptom, and health literacy. Results: The present study results revealed significant positive relationships existing between long-term care needs with age and depressive symptom, while negative relationships between income and health literacy were reported. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that four of nine determinants of long-term care needs: age, depressive symptom, health knowledge and understanding, and ability managing their health condition significantly predicted long-term care needs at a level of 18% (R² adjusted=0.18, p<0.001). Conclusion: The present study results showed associations between personal and health literacy factors with long-term care needs. These findings prove that it is vitally important for healthcare professionals to consider the rural elderly’s mental health status and health literacy when providing care and planning treatment. Keywords: Health literacy, Long-term care needs, Rural community

Download Full-text

Socioeconomic Status and Long-Term Care Provision to Parents in Japan

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2568 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 725-725

Author(s):

Yoko Ibuka ◽

Yui Ohtsu

Keyword(s):

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Living Condition ◽

Care Provision ◽

Burden Of Care ◽

Care Needs ◽

Term Care ◽

Japanese Adults ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Socioeconomic status (SES) is generating considerable interest in terms of health of individuals, but how it is associated with long-term care has not been established yet. We study the relationship between SES and long-term care provision to parents among the Japanese adults using JSTAR. We use the following six measures of SES for the analysis: income, asset, expenditure, living condition, housing condition and education. We find a greater probability of care provision to parents among those in higher SES categories for some SES measures, compared to the lowest category. However, after considering the survival probability of parents, the relationship is reversed and the probability of care provision is found to be greater among lower SES individuals. The association is more pronounced among males. The association is likely to be partly mediated by care needs of parents. These results suggest a higher burden of care disproportionately falls in low SES individuals.

Download Full-text

COVID-19: first long-term care facility outbreak in the Netherlands following cross-border introduction from Germany, March 2020

BMC Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1186/s12879-021-06093-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mitch van Hensbergen ◽

Casper D. J. den Heijer ◽

Petra Wolffs ◽

Volker Hackert ◽

Henriëtte L. G. ter Waarbeek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

The Netherlands ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Care Facility ◽

Control Measures ◽

Border Region ◽

Term Care ◽

Term Care Facility ◽

Long Term Care Facility ◽

Cross Border

Abstract Background The Dutch province of Limburg borders the German district of Heinsberg, which had a large cluster of COVID-19 cases linked to local carnival activities before any cases were reported in the Netherlands. However, Heinsberg was not included as an area reporting local or community transmission per the national case definition at the time. In early March, two residents from a long-term care facility (LTCF) in Sittard, a Dutch town located in close vicinity to the district of Heinsberg, tested positive for COVID-19. In this study we aimed to determine whether cross-border introduction of the virus took place by analysing the LTCF outbreak in Sittard, both epidemiologically and microbiologically. Methods Surveys and semi-structured oral interviews were conducted with all present LTCF residents by health care workers during regular points of care for information on new or unusual signs and symptoms of disease. Both throat and nasopharyngeal swabs were taken from residents suspect of COVID-19, based on regional criteria, for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 by Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction. Additionally, whole genome sequencing was performed using a SARS-CoV-2 specific amplicon-based Nanopore sequencing approach. Moreover, twelve random residents were sampled for possible asymptomatic infections. Results Out of 99 residents, 46 got tested for COVID-19. Out of the 46 tested residents, nineteen (41%) tested positive for COVID-19, including 3 asymptomatic residents. CT-values for asymptomatic residents seemed higher compared to symptomatic residents. Eleven samples were sequenced, along with three random samples from COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the regional hospital at the time of the LTCF outbreak. All samples were linked to COVID-19 cases from the cross-border region of Heinsberg, Germany. Conclusions Sequencing combined with epidemiological data was able to virtually prove cross-border transmission at the start of the Dutch COVID-19 epidemic. Our results highlight the need for cross-border collaboration and adjustment of national policy to emerging region-specific needs along borders in order to establish coordinated implementation of infection control measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Download Full-text

The Impact of Function Focused Care From Acute Care to Home Care and Nursing Homes

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2148 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 629-629

Author(s):

Silke Metzelthin ◽

Sandra Zwakhalen ◽

Barbara Resnick

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Home Care ◽

Acute Care ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Functional Decline ◽

Term Care ◽

The Us ◽

The Impact

Abstract Functional decline in older adults often lead towards acute or long-term care. In practice, caregivers often focus on completion of care tasks and of prevention of injuries from falls. This task based, safety approach inadvertently results in fewer opportunities for older adults to be actively involved in activities. Further deconditioning and functional decline are common consequences of this inactivity. To prevent or postpone these consequences Function Focused Care (FFC) was developed meaning that caregivers adapt their level of assistance to the capabilities of older adults and stimulate them to do as much as possible by themselves. FFC was first implemented in institutionalized long-term care in the US, but has spread rapidly to other settings (e.g. acute care), target groups (e.g. people with dementia) and countries (e.g. the Netherlands). During this symposium, four presenters from the US and the Netherlands talk about the impact of FFC. The first presentation is about the results of a stepped wedge cluster trial showing a tendency to improve activities of daily living and mobility. The second presentation is about a FFC training program. FFC was feasible to implement in home care and professionals experienced positive changes in knowledge, attitude, skills and support. The next presenter reports about significant improvements regarding time spent in physical activity and a decrease in resistiveness to care in a cluster randomized controlled trial among nursing home residents with dementia. The fourth speaker presents the content and first results of a training program to implement FFC in nursing homes. Nursing Care of Older Adults Interest Group Sponsored Symposium

Download Full-text

Exploring the impact of austerity-driven policy reforms on the quality of the long-term care provision for older people in Belgium and the Netherlands

Journal of Aging Studies ◽

10.1016/j.jaging.2016.05.003 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 38 ◽

pp. 92-104 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

David Janssen ◽

Wesley Jongen ◽

Peter Schröder-Bäck

Keyword(s):

The Netherlands ◽

Older People ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Care Provision ◽

Policy Reforms ◽

Term Care ◽

The Impact

Download Full-text

“Then They Trust You …”

NEW SOLUTIONS A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy ◽

10.1177/1048291117712544 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 225-245 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Marsha Love ◽

Felipe Tendick-Matesanz ◽

Jane Thomason ◽

Davine Carter ◽

Myra Glassman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Home Care ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Care Needs ◽

Term Care ◽

Team Members ◽

Physical Independence ◽

Care Workers ◽

Communications Skills ◽

Home Care Workers

The home care workforce, already at 2.7 million caregivers, will become the nation’s fastest growing occupation by 2024 as the senior boom generation accelerates the demand for in home services to meet its long-term care needs. The physically challenging work of assisting clients with intimate, essential acts of daily living places home care workers (HCWs) at risk for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs); yet, HCWs typically receive little formal job training and may lack appropriate assistive devices. In this qualitative pilot study, HCW focus groups described workplace MSD risk factors and identified problem-solving strategies to improve ergonomic conditions. The results revealed that HCWs rely on their behavioral insights, self-styled communications skills and caring demeanor to navigate MSD risks to themselves and increase clients’ physical independence of movement. We suggest changes in employer and government policies to acknowledge HCWs as valued team members in long-term care and to enhance their effectiveness as caregivers.

Download Full-text